Treadle for sewing machines



Dec. 20, 1960 o. A. HIEGEL ET AL TREADLE FOR SEWING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 30, 1958 /N VEN To 7? offo Alberi H/EGEL III Dec. 20, 1960 o. A. H11-:GEL ET AL 2,964,970

TREADLE FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July ISO, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N VEN 'ro r? ou@ Albert H/EGEL Rubi SCHN MAL/51? Dec. 20, '1960 Filed July 30, 1958 O. A. HIEGEL ET AL TREADLE FOR SEWING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Shea?l 3 om Amm H/EGEL Rubi SCHNTHALER A GEA/7' Dec. 20, 1960 o. A. HIEGEL ET AL 2,964,970

Y TREADLE FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July so, 195s 4 sheets-sheet 4 /NVENTOR 6 Ulla Alberi' H/EGEL 64 Publ' SCHNTHALER United States Patent() TREADLE FOR SEWING MACHINES Otto Albert-Hiegel, Lambsborn, Pfalz, and Rubi Schnthaler, Kaiserslautern, Pfalz, Germany, assignors to G. M. Pfaff A.G., Kaiserslautern, Pfalz, Germany Filed July so, 195s, ser'. No. 752,082

Claims priority, application Germany July 30, 1957 13 Claims. (Cl. 74-560) The invention relates to sewing machines and is concerned particularly with treadles for sewing machines.

More specilically the invention relates to treadles for sewing machines having kseveral independently movable tread boards for operating the switch gear of sewing machines.

As used herein the term tread panel or board is intended to convey the meaning of foot pedal or similarly formed foot rest or foot support.

In known treadle constructions of this type each tread board operates a switching means of the sewing machine, for example, one tread board actuates the driving means of the machine, while the other tread board operates a cutting device. lf one of the switching means to be operated is not actuated for a longer period of time, the foot which is idle does not have a rm support, a matter which is disadvantageous. This is reflected by an uncomfortable posture of the operator, the consequences of which are signs of fatigue.

It is an object of the invention to provide a treadle having several independently movable tread boards for the operation of the switch gear of a sewing machine which provides a secure support for the foot which is not used at a particular time, or which provides a secure support for both feet during periods when manual operations are effected.

It is a further object of the invention to provide tread-le means having tread boards which may optionally be locked in individual or common positions where the operati'on of switch gear is prevented.

The invention can be utilized in a particularly advantageous manner by connecting and disconnecting the drive means of electrically operated sewing machines. For this purpose two tread panels may optionally be coupled individually or together with the operating means for the speed regulation of the machine. For locking the tread panels in position supporting levers are suitable 'provided which may be shifted by means of a foot operated lever into positions in which the tread panels are supported and in which they are released. Each tread panel can be associated with a supporting lever and with a foot operated lever. Y

The supporting levers for both tread boards may also be combined with a single foot operated lever which is movably mounted in a plane extending perpendicularly to the tread panels the free end of which extends above vthe tread panels and which is connected below the tread .panels with supporting levers for the tread panelswhich are angularly spaced with respect to each other.

j If it is desirable to provide for adequate observation of the momentary switching position, the single foot operated lever may also be secured to one end of a control shaft which is mounted perpendicularly with respect to the tread panels or boards and which extends with said end above the same while carrying the supporting, levers below the tread panels. A

Further'objects, advantages, as well as detas of the invention,`wil1 become apparent from the ilollowing speciication with reference to the several embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1` is a perspective view of afirst embodiment having a single foot operating lever for both tread panels,

Fig. 2 illustrates a second embodiment in' sectional view taken along line 'I'I--II lof Fig. 3 providing a foot operated lever for each tread boa-rd, where for the clearer illustration parts have been omitted,

Fig. 3 is a section through the complete arrangement in accordance with Fig. 2 taken along line III-III in Fig. 4, v

Fig. 4 is a top view of the embodiment vin accordance with Figs. 2 and 3 where the tread panels as well as the supporting levers have been omitted,

Fig. 5 is a plan view vof a further embodiment comprising'only a single foot operated lever,

Fig. 6 is a partial view to an enlarged scale of the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 5 where the tread boards have been omitted,

Fig. 7 is a section along line VII-VII of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 8 is a section along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7.

In the embodiment in accordance with Fig. 1 the machine frame of an electrically operated sewing machine, which is not illustrated, supports two bearing sleeves 2 (only one of which is shown) for rotatably journalling a supporting tube 3. Two straps 4 and 5 are mounted upon the supporting tube 3 which 'at the end lremote from the supporting tube are bent downwardly and serve for mounting :of a switch means 6 for controlling the speed of the sewing machine, as well as for journalling l a shaft 7.

The switch means 6 for the velocity control is provided with a plunger 8 having a pair of transverse arms 9' and 10.' This plunger is continuously pressed upwardly by a return spring mounted within the switch means 6. A pair of supporting levers 11 and 12 and a foot operated lever 13 are rigidly connected to the shaft 7. The foot operated lever is provided with a notch 14 which cooperates with three projections 15 on a stop spring 17 secured to the strap 5 by means of a screw 16. Y

The supporting tube 3 is furthermore engaged by two clamps 18, 19 which between them support a pivot shaft 20. The two tread boards 25 and 26 are mounted upon this shaft, each or independent movement with respect tothe other, bylway of bars 21, 22, 23, 24, respectively. The tread boards are brought to rest by their own weight upon the arms 9, 10 of the plunger 8. The pivot shaft 20 can also be `arranged below the center of the tread boards-25, 26.

vLaterally of each ofthe bars 22, 23 one pin 27, 28 respectively is provided. YWhen the tread boards 25 and 26 are in their uppermost position (asdetermined by the upper end position of the supporting plunger 8) then each of the pins 27 and 28 is in lche range of rocking movement of one of the slots 29, 30 of the supporting levers `11, 12 respectively. These are provided upon shaft -7 in such angular positions with respect to one another and to the foot operated lever 13 that in the foremost of the locking positions as determined by the three projections 15, the pin 27 is engaged by jaw or slot 29in the rearward locking position, the pin 28 is engaged by jaw or slot 30 and in the center locking position both pins27 and 28 are in engagement with the slots. The foot operated lever 13 is of such length that its lfree end projects through the gap 31 between the tread panels or boards 25 and 26 even when they are in their uppermost position so that it can readily be shifted by a foot into one of the three locking positions in order to optionally lock the left, theright or both of the tread boards 25 and 26. g The components 3, 4, 5, 6,18, 19 and v20 constitute a rigid frame which is pivotally movable around ahorizontal axis which is rigid with respect to the machine frame 1 as a result of the rotatable mounting of the carrier tube 3 inside the sleeves 2. In this manner the entire arrangement can be swung upwardly when not in use, for example, for purposes of cleaning. In the operating position the base plane of the switching means `6 constitutes the oor support.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4 the carrying tube 3 which is supported on the machine frame (not shown) carries a frame 32 of rectangular form having bearing lugs 33, 33 for pivot shaft 20 which supports the tread panels 25 and 26, each by means of two bars 34, 35 and 36, 37 respectively. A pair of substantially U- shaped braces 38 and 39 are rigidly connected with the frame 32, for example, by welding.

At their forward end 40 the braces carry a pivot shaft 41 for journalling two supporting levers 42 and 43 which are independently movable. Braces 38 and 39 furthermore support the switching means 6 (omitted in Fig. 2) for controlling the speed by means of the plunger 8 and the arms 9 and 10 which extend below the tread panels or boards 25 and 26. At the upper end of the braces 38 and 39 a pair of locking springs 44 and 45 are securely mounted each of which presents two projections 46, 47 and 48, 49, respectively, which similarly to the projections 15 in Fig. 1 cooperate with a notch in each of the supporting levers 42 and 43 and whichresiliently lock the latter in two positions.

In one of these positions (as shown in Fig. 3) a slot or jaw 50 of the supporting lever -42 (or slot 51 of supporting lever 43) engages a pin 52 mounted ,laterally of the bar 35 (or a pin 53 on bar 36) and retains the same securely. In the other position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 the pin '52 and thus the tread panel 25 is free (correspondingly also pin 53 and tread panel 26). Supporting levers 42 and 43 are formed at their upper ends to define foot operating levers 54 and 55 which project beyond the edges of the tread panels with horizontally disposed and oppositely directed foot rests 56 and 57.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. to 8 the pivot shaft 20 is arranged similarly to the arrangement of the embodiment according to Fig. l, directly above the carrying tube 3. It serves for the pivotal support of rails 58, 59, and 60, 61 which, associated in pairs, carry the tread panels 25 and 126. The distance between the pivot shaft 20 and the border edges -62 of the tread panels 25, '26 facing the seamstress corresponds approximately to the distance between heel and the joint of a foot of average size.

A bracket 63 is clamped on the carrying tube 3 which is bent at its end remote from the carrying tube as shown in Fig. 7 and receives the switching means 6, a bottom support 64 as well as a standing operating shaft `65 which extends perpendicularly to the tread panels 25 and 26. A foot operating lever 66 is connected to the standing shaft 65 above the tread panels 25 and 26 and below the same with a double armed supporting lever 67. The supporting lever 67 is provided with laterally sloping sides (see Fig. 8), more at its one end than in the proximity of its axis of rotation in a manner to define sliding surfaces 68.

When shifted, the supporting lever 67 is disposed below the extensions 69, 70 of the rails 5.9, 60 whereby in the position indicated at A in Fig. .6 it extends below the projection 70 only with the end under the foot operating lever 6.6, while in position Bit extends with the other end also below the projection 69. The same applies Yalso when .it is rocked in the opposite direction. *In the -fully withdrawn center `position both tread panels 25, 2 6 are free.

The'shifting path ofthe plunger 8 is somewhatsmaller than the height of the supporting lever 67. In this `manner the tread panels 25 and 26 `can be raised in position `by .shifting .the foot operating lever 66 by means of the sliding-.planes 68.

The tive possible shifting positions of the supporting lever 67 are locked by a resilient locking means. In particular a piston 72 is received in a bore 71 of the supporting lever 67 (Fig. 7) which is pressed by means of a spring 73 against the upper surface of the bracket 63 which is provided at its upper side with five locking apertures 74.

In the embodiments illustrated both tread panels are adapted for coupling with the switching means for the control of the speed. The tread panel locking means in accordance with the invention may readily be used also when each tread panel operates a separate switching means of the sewing machine. It is also possible in addition to the features illustrated in connection with the embodiments shown, to arrange one or more adjustable tread panels for operating different switching means.

Having now described the invention with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, it is obvious that it is not limited thereto, but what it is desired to protect by United States Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

l. Treadle for sewing machine including a pivot support fixedly disposed relative to the frame of the machine, a stationary support, a plurality of treading panels journalled on said pivot support and movable rearwardly of said pivot support relatively to each other and relatively to said stationary support, switch means adapted to be operated by said panels and locking means including lever means selectively operable to lock one of said panels in inoperative position and to lock both of said panels in inoperative position.

2. Treadle for sewing machine including a pivot support xedly disposed relative to the frame of the machine, a stationary support, a plurality of treading panels journalled on said pivot support and movable rearwardly of said pivot support relatively to each other and relatively to said stationary support, switch means adapted to be operated by said panels and locking means including lever means selectively operable to lock one of said panels in inoperative position and to lock both of said panels in inoperative position, said panels being selectively operable to engage and actuate said switch means.

3. Treadle for sewing machine including a pivot support xedly disposed relative to the frame of the machine, a stationary support, a plurality of treading panels journalled on said pivot support and movable relatively to each other and relatively to said stationary support, switch meansadapted to be operated by said panels and locking means selectively operable to lock one of said panels in inoperative position and to lock both of said panels in inoperative position, said locking means comprising a supporting pivot xedly mounted relative to said stationary support, supporting lever means mounted on said supporting pivot and foot operated lever means amounted on said supporting pivot adapted to actuate said supporting vlever means.

4. Treadle in accordance -with claim 3, wherein said pivot support extends centrally of and below said panels.

5. Treadle in accordance with claim 3, wherein said pivot support is disposed below said panels ata distance from the edge proximate the operator of the machine corresponding to the distance between the heel and the joint of the average foot.

6. Treadle for sewing machine including a pivot sup- `port lxedly disposed relative to the frame of the machine, a stationary support, a plurality of treading panels journalled on said vpivot support and movable relatively to each other and relatively to said stationary support, switch means adapted to be operated by said panels and locking `means selectively operable to lock one of said panelsiin operativeposition `and to lockboth of said panels vin inoperative position, .said locking means comprising a supporting pivot xedly mounted relative to said stationarysupport, supporting lever means rmounted on said supporting pivot including foot operated means adapted to actuate said supporting lever means, a pair of locking members, one associated with each of said panels, said supportingy lever means including a pair of levers, one for each panel, each having a conformation adapted to engage said locking member on the associated panel.

7. Treadle for sewing machine including a pivot support xedly disposed relative to the frame of the machine, a stationary support, a plurality of treading panels journalled on said pivot support and movable relatively to each other and relatively to said stationary support, switch means adapted to be operated by said panels and locking means selectively operable to lock one of said panels in inoperative position and to lock both of said panels in inoperative position, said locking means cornprising a supporting pivot xedly mounted relative to said stationary support, supporting lever means mounted on said supporting pivot including foot operated means adapted to actuate said supporting lever means, a pair of locking members, one associated with each of said panels, said supporting lever means including a pair of levers, one for each panel, each having a conformation adapted to engage said locking member on the associated panel, said levers being mounted adjacent to one another intermediate said panels and being movable substantially parallel thereto and presenting foot pedals extending in opposite directions dening said foot operated means.

8. Treadle for sewing machine including a pivot support ixedly disposed relative to the frame of the machine, a stationary support, a plurality of treading panels journalled on said pivot support and movable relatively to each other and relatively to said stationary support, switch means adapted to be operated by said panels and locking means selectively operable to lock one of said panels in inoperative position and to lock both of said panels in inoperative position, said locking means comprising a supporting pivot xedly mounted relative to said stationary support, supporting lever means mounted on said supporting pivot including foot operated means adapted to actuate said supporting lever means, said supporting lever means comprising a supporting lever for each panel and said foot operated means being pedals extending endwise of said levers in opposite directions.

9. Treadle for sewing machine including a pivot support fixedly disposed relative to the frame of the machine. a stationary support, a plurality of treading panels journalled on said pivot support and movable relatively to each other and relatively to said stationary support, switch means adapted to be operated by said panels and locking means selectively operable to lock one of said panels in inoperative position and to lock both of said panels in inoperative position, said locking means coms prising a supporting pivot tixedly mounted relative to said stationary support, supporting lever means mounted on said supporting pivo-t and foot operated lever means mounted on said supporting pivot adapted to actuate said supporting lever means disposed in a plane extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of said panels, the free end of said foot operating lever means extending above said panels and said supporting lever means extending below said panels from said supporting pivot in dierent radial directions and being connected with said foot operated lever means.

10. Treadle for sewing machine including a pivot support fixedly disposed relative to the frame of the machine, a stationary support, a plurality of treading panels journalled on said pivot support and movable relatively to each other and relatively to said stationary support, switch means adapted to be operated by said panels and locking means selectively operable to lock one of said panels in inoperative position and to lock both of said panels in inoperative position, said locking means comprising a supporting pivot xedly mounted relative to said stationary support, supporting lever means mounted on said supporting pivot and foot operated lever means mounted on said supporting pivot adapted to actuate said supporting lever means, said supporting lever means comprising a supporting lever associated with both panels and said foot operated lever means comprising a lever operatively connected by Way of said supporting pivot to said supporting lever means, and said supporting pivot being an upright shaft extending substantially perpendicularly to and above said panels.

ll. Treadle in accordance with claim l0, wherein said supporting lever means are provided with inclined sliding planes adapted to engage and raise said panels.

l2. Treadle for sewing machine including a pivot support tixedly disposed relative to the frame of the machine, a stationary support, a plurality of treading panels journalled on said pivot support and movable relatively to each other and relatively to said stationary support, switch means adapted to be operated by said panels and locking means selectively operable to lock one of said panels in inoperative position and to lock both of said panels in inoperative position, said locking means comprising a supporting pivot ixedly mounted relative to said stationary support, supporting lever means mounted on said supporting pivot and foot operated lever means adapted to actuate said supporting lever means, an interlocking member on each said panel for selective engagement by said supporting lever said treadle comprising a frame carrying said pivot support, said supporting pivot for said supporting-levers, said foot operated lever means, said switch means and said stationary support as a unitary structure pivotally mounted on the machine frame.

13. Treadle for sewing machine including a pivot support xedly disposed relative to the frame of the machine, a stationary support, a plurality of treading panels journalled on said pivot support and movable relatively to each other and relatively to said stationary support, switch means adapted to be operated by said panels and locking means selectively operable to lock one of said panels in inoperative position and-to loclt both of said panels in inoperative position, said locking means comprising a supporting pivot xedly mounted relative to said stationary support, supporting lever means mounted on said supporting pivot and foot operated vlever means mounted on said supporting pivot adapted to actuate said supporting lever means, an interlocking member on each said panel for selective engagement by said supporting lever said switch means including a spring biased plunger having a transverse arm extending below said panels in operative engagement therewith.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNI'TED STATES PATENTS UNTTED STATTS PATENT @TTTCE QERTFCTN Patent Noe 2896)@970 Decemberl 20 1960 Otto Albert Hiegel et 31 It is hereby Certified that error' appears in the above numbered patent Teqizing correction and 'that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected belowo Column 49 line 72fr for "operative" read m inoperative ma,

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of May 196ie (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWDEB DAVID L. LADD Atesting @ffice Y Commissioner of Patents 

